I-77 EXPRESS LANES August 15, 2018 I-77 Express Lanes | August - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

ANALYSIS OF THE MERCATOR POLICY OPTIONS

I-77

EXPRESS LANES

August 15, 2018

Agenda – Meeting #8

▪ Introductions ▪ Review of options ▪ Secretary’s update ▪ Technical review ▪ Closing

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Local Advisory Group

▪ Established in December 2017 with 12 members

– Advise and provide input for the NCDOT Secretary

▪ Seven meetings to date

– January 2018 through May 2018

▪ Discussion topics

– Project history and overview – Mercator options and associated pros and cons – Member feedback – Additional options for consideration

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Mercator Policy Options

▪ Option A: Terminate the CA and complete the express lanes project using public funding or financing as it becomes available ▪ Option B: Terminate the CA and allow CRTPO to determine whether express lanes should remain in the transportation plan or be replaced or supplemented with other improvements based on available resources ▪ Option C: Negotiate modifications to the project scope and/or the terms of the CA, such as:

• C-1 - Deferring or eliminating tolling of certain lanes
• C-2 - Reducing the financial impact on local residents by establishing frequent user discounts or toll credits
• C-3 - Revising the truck restrictions to allow larger vehicles that can use the express lanes safely
• C-4 - Encouraging greater use of new capacity by allowing HOT2+ for some period of time
• C-5 - Modifying the compensation provisions for unplanned revenue impacting facilities

▪ Option D: Work with CRTPO to identify and advance additional improvements to address mobility issues in the corridor ▪ Option E: Develop preliminary plans to negotiate and finance the purchase of the express lanes project after completion ▪ Option F: Complete and delete

Options Currently Under Evaluation

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• ver next 10 years and evaluate potential compensation cost, if any.

• pportunities exist

• f Options C-1 and H).

*Additional Options Suggested by LAG

Based on input from the May 10, 2018 Local Advisory Group meeting, the following options are not being evaluated at this time

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• f construction.

Secretary Jim Trogdon

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Options Evaluated with Hypothetical STI Statewide Scores

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Option Estimated Cost Impacts Hypothetical Score+

C-1 Convert 1 EL to GP lane (change from 2+2 to 3+1) exit 23 to 28 and convert 1 EL to GP lane (change from 2+1 to 3+0) exit 28 to 36 $400M 50-55 E Purchase the contract and keep express lanes as planned $392M-$623M* 45-50 F Purchase the contract and convert all EL to GP lane $540M-$771M** 45-50 H Add 1 GP lane (change from 2+1 to 3+1) exit 28 to 36 $350M-$600M 70-75 I Convert 1 EL to GP lane (change from 2+2 to 3+1) exit 23 to 28 and add 1 GP lane (change from 2+1 to 3+1) exit 28 to 36 $550M-$800M 70-75 J Add auxiliary lane exit 23 to 25; exit 25-28; or exit 33-35 (scored by segment) $40M (each segment) 60-65

Main Objective Ultimately, the State of North Carolina will Operate this Facility

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How Do We Get There?

Improve, Expand and Protect

Improve

• Negotiate better terms for drivers:

– Toll caps (option C-2-2) – Frequent user discounts (option C-2-1) – Allow medium size trucks use of express lanes capacity (option C-3)

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Improve, Expand and Protect Plan

Expand

• Work to expand non-toll capacity options being pursued

– Harden shoulders during peak periods (option G) – Convert one express lane to a general purpose lane (3+1) exit 23-28 and add one general purpose lane (3+1) exit 28-36 (option I) – Develop and implement a process to continually evaluate contract purchase under Strategic Transportation Investments (required process to reach goal of operating facility) (option E) – Add auxiliary lanes exit 23-25, 25-28 and 33-35 (option J)

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Improve, Expand and Protect Plan

Protect

• Operate in an open and transparent process to ensure

North Carolinians have an opportunity to participate BEFORE decisions are final

• Ensure options are legal and fiscally responsible
• Work on multiple solutions simultaneously until the most

effective and efficient solution is completed to ensure results

• Continue to engage the I-77 Local Advisory Group

regarding this plan

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Improve, Expand and Protect Plan

Constraints

• Strategic Transportation Investments (STI) Law

– Requires projects be scored based on data and then be prioritized for funding

• State Law (2018 Budget – Senate Bill 99)

– Requires NCDOT to report any proposed contract modifications or cancellations to the NC General Assembly at least 60 days in advance – Defines impacts to funding for other projects as it relates to the bonus allocation and project (corridor) cap

• Existing contract

– New or modified construction will require design time/possible permitting – Contract modifications must be negotiated

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Summary

• Improve

– Negotiate better terms for drivers

• Expand

– Work to expand non-toll capacity options being pursued

• Protect

– Continue to engage the public in an open and transparent manner

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TECHNICAL REVIEW

Negotiate Better Terms for Drivers

▪ Frequent user discounts

– Typically, presented as discount or credit to users who meet a given criteria – Actual discount amount, timeframe for discount and specific criteria for potential discount are subject to negotiation with the Developer

▪ Toll caps

– Limits the maximum toll a user would pay to travel the corridor – Initial toll cap and annual increase of toll cap are subject to negotiation with the Developer

▪ Allow medium trucks

– Current contract does not allow vehicles with more than two axles – Type and length of allowed trucks as well as toll rate differential are subject to negotiation with the Developer

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Improve

Option G - Hardened Shoulder: Exit 23 to Exit 35

▪ Harden outside shoulder for use during peak periods ▪ Intended to help local travel between interchanges ▪ Considered to be a mid-term implementation ▪ Can be implemented in phases ▪ Used in cities across US

– I-405 in Washington, I-66 in Virginia, etc

EXIT 19 EXIT 28 EXIT 33 EXIT 36 EXIT 23 EXIT 25 EXIT 35

EXIT 31 EXIT 30

Expand

Hardened Shoulder: Examples

Expand

Option I - Three GP Lanes: Exit 23 to Exit 36

▪ Considered to be a long-term implementation ▪ Convert one express lane to general purpose lane between exit 23 and 28 ▪ Add a new general purpose lane between exit 28 and 36

– Requires Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) permit to cross the 760’ elevation – Other environmental permits may be required

EXIT 19 EXIT 28 EXIT 33 EXIT 36 EXIT 23 EXIT 25 EXIT 35

EXIT 31 EXIT 30

Expand

I-77 Over Causeway – As Currently Designed

• 2 GP lanes in each direction
• 1 new express lane in each direction
• Median barrier wall
• All work in median

Expand

Widening through moment slab Widening through sheet piles Widening through earthen fill

▪ Reviewed various possibilities to widen over the causeway including, but not limited to, the following three concepts:

Widening Over the Causeway

Expand

Option J - Add Auxiliary Lanes North of Exit 23

▪ New option developed based on feedback from the Local Advisory Group ▪ Considered to be a long-term implementation ▪ Add auxiliary lanes where they do not exist

– Between exit 23 and 25 – Between exit 25 and 28 – Between exit 33 and 35

▪ Intended to help local traffic between interchanges

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EXIT 19 EXIT 28 EXIT 33 EXIT 36 EXIT 23 EXIT 25 EXIT 35

EXIT 31 EXIT 30

Expand

Closing

• Great participation and discussion by all Local Advisory

Group members

• Today’s materials will be posted on project website
• Will provide intermediate information as it becomes

available

• Discuss status and updates at the next meeting
• Appreciate your continued support of the transportation

needs in the region

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THANK YOU!